Congressman recommends immigrants carry documents

WASHINGTON 
An Illinois congressman is recommending that illegal immigrants living in states with tough new immigration laws start carrying documents showing their ties to their U.S. communities.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat, says illegal immigrants arrested for immigration violations by local police in states such as Alabama and South Carolina should show the documents to federal agents. He says they can ask to be released under the Department of Homeland Security's prosecutorial discretion policy.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton issued a memo in June detailing how ICE agents could use discretion when deciding which illegal immigrants shouldn't be deported. Morton cited cases such as young people brought to the country illegally as children and people with children or spouses who are U.S. citizens.